CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A support vessel for the Japanese whaling fleet is sailing in Australian waters in pursuit of anti-whaling activists, Australia said after protesting to the Tokyo government.

Environment Minister Tony Burke said his government received confirmation Thursday that the Shonan Maru No. 2 had entered Australia’s exclusive economic zone near Macquarie Island in the Antarctic Ocean. The Australian embassy in Tokyo protested to the Japanese government, he said.